It's going to be another year of blockbusters and huge flops in the NHL. Which teams blew out their budgets for big name stars and gigantic special effects to score Michael Bay-levels of box office gold? Which teams are bloated action retreads and terrible sequels? Find out in Puck Daddy's 2011-12 NHL Season Previews, running throughout the month.

Tim Connolly(notes) (2 years, $4.75 million cap hit) was a controversial free-agent signing, yet also an inevitable Plan B after the Leafs lost out on Brad Richards(notes). He can be an offensive force when healthy; but ask a Sabres fan about his stability and fragility. Forward Philippe Dupuis(notes) signed for 1 year from the Avs.

At forward, Phil Kessel(notes) enters his third season with the Leafs after tallying 32 goals and 32 assists in 82 games, skating to a minus-20. His critics are often misguided or hyperbolic in their criticism of what is, essentially, a very good player held to a lofty standard.

He should see time with Connolly to start the season. The former Buffalo Sabres center is two years removed from a 65-point season; alas, that was the first time since 2003 that Connolly played over 70 games. He managed 68 last season and scored 42 points. The third member of the line should be Joffrey Lupul(notes), who arrived from the Anaheim Ducks last season and tallied 18 points in 28 games. Now when does he cameo in VH1 again?

One of the most pleasant surprises for the Leafs last season was Clarke MacArthur(notes), whom the Atlanta Thrashers walked away from after arbitration. His 21 goals and 41 points were career highs. He scored a 2-year deal for the effort.

Two other revelations: Mikhail Grabovski(notes), who scored 29 goals and 29 assists in skating to a plus-14; and Nikolai Kulemin(notes), who scored 30 goals last season in 82 games. MacArthur, Grabovski and Kulemin, both eligible for free agency next summer, could provide a solid second scoring option behind Kessel's line.

The wild card at forward: Matthew Lombardi(notes), who has the ability to be a top six player in the lineup if he can fully recover from his concussion one year ago. He could be a huge factor if healthy.

Luke Schenn(notes) was second in ice time at 22:22, leading the team in shorthanded ice time at 2:44 per game. He received a new 5-year deal before camp on the promise he'll continue to develop into one of the best shutdown defenders in the League.

Liles scored 46 points last season for the Avalanche. He was good for about 20 points on the power play, and blocks a significant amount of shots.

James Reimer was a rookie sensation who won 20 of 35 starts for the Leafs while posting a .921 save percentage. Down the stretch last season, he won seven of eight games. The fear is that he'll be a flash in the pan like so many other one-hit-wonders between the pipes. But if Reimer's the real deal, he could lead the Leafs to playoff contention. And he better be, with that spiffy new contract.

Jonas Gustavsson(notes) will be the other option between the pipes. We'd mention he's a "MONSTER" but we're weary of any copyright claims from Pierre McGuire.

Brian Burke has been the president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs since Nov. 2008. The Leafs haven't made the playoffs during his tenure. They haven't signed an elite offensive star, missing out on the Sedins (despite Burke's courtship) and Brad Richards. The traded for one in Phil Kessel, but we all know the price for that bounty.

Wilson has spent so much time on the hot seat that he's starting to blister. Another poor start could spell the end of Wilson's time in Toronto, which began in June 2008. But there's no question that he deserves a modicum of credit for last season's second-half surge.

Defenseman Jake Gardiner is a University of Wisconsin product who made things interesting in camp as a solid puck-moving defenseman. He's probably AHL-bound, but there's still a chance he could be a Cam Fowler(notes)-ish revelation if given a shot this season with the Leafs.

Phil Kessel deserved an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony and a Nobel Peace Prize for this smiling effort. Oh, Ovie, you scamp.

The play of James Reimer. If last year's rookie sensation is this year's pace-setting between the pipes, the Leafs could be in business. As Luke Schenn told Nick Cotsonika: "I don't think he's going to let it go to his head. He's real grounded. He's real focused. He wants to be the guy, doesn't forget where he came from."

If Liles and the improving forwards can get the power play better than 16 percent. If Reimer and the defense can dramatically cut into that 2.94 team GAA. If the team can roll three lines that threaten to score. If November isn't a complete disaster again. If … if … if … the Toronto Maple Leafs can be a playoff team for the first time since 2004. Or at least hang very, very close to the bubble.